Catwoman: the 'Grey Area'

By Rae

Firstly, I would like to point out that this evaluation is based on only some of the character which is Catwoman, mostly from Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, purly because I thought she was the best Catwoman yet, probably because unlike the first few Catwomen, she was not portrayed as a ‘bad, bad kitty’.

Catwoman is one of the most realistic characters I have ever come across, or at least stands for something quite realistic. Yes, she is at a disadvantage to the other characters I like because she doesn’t fight with a Katana (which automatically gives any character a massive plus), however I do like how she is portrayed.

Catwoman, for those of you who have been living under a rock, is the costumed alias for Selina Kyle, and is a supposedly ‘reformed’ cat burglar. She is a very strong-willed and independent woman who is morally conflicted with her past.

The reason I like Catwoman has to do with what she stands for. If I had to describe her in one word, I would say ‘opportunist’. She is not generically bad, not a psychopath like some of her fellow villains - *coughcough Jokercough* - and is not a villain for some dull reason like getting back at someone or even just getting back at everyone because they were bullied as a child – Alex Cross’ villain Herod Sayle is guilty of this. Catwoman is seen to be good when it suits her and not so good when she has to be, not letting any opportunities to allow for her or her sister’s survival escape her, making her seem like a real character fighting for survival, whether that is burglary or helping others. Also, the fact that she made her own luck and did not let any opportunity get past her which allowed for her survival instils a sense of admiration in me.

So, because of this, she can be seen to be in the ‘grey area’. Too often the character’s in movies and other media are seen to be distinctly ‘good’ or ‘evil’ with no area between, which is where virtually everyone in the real world is located. Because of this, I find Catwoman as a character and as an idea very refreshing.

Although, one of the things I CANNOT stand about her is her on-again, off-again relationship with Batman. Ok, I can see why you may seduce him for personal gain – which would fit with her character – or be drawn to him because of how he represents what she wishes she could be, however I cannot stand it. I may like Catwoman, however Batman is another story: and do not even get me started on Robin! Also, the fact that in some versions she is a prostitute irks me a bit, furthered by her choice of costume...although I can also see the practical side of wearing a skin-tight black suit in burglary and fighting.

All in all though, her portrayal as the ‘grey area’ between the normal strict good and bad is quite refreshing.